Aric Almirola News

Principal Financial Group expands sponsorship of DEI:

Principal Financial Group expands sponsorship of DEI:

February 15, 2008
The Principal Financial Group, the nation's 401 and employee benefits leader, announced its expanded relationship with Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI). The Principal has agreed to a multi-race primary sponsorship involving DEI's #8 Chevy, co-driven by Mark Martin and Aric

California Testing over

California Testing over

February 1, 2008
with #11B-Denny Hamlin being the overall fastest in a Toyota at 182.523mph in the Day 1 morning session, followed by #12A-Ryan Newman in a Dodge [Day1morning], #18-Kyle Busch in a Toyota [Day1morning], #8A-Mark Martin in a Chevy [Day1morning] and #99A-Carl Edwards

SPEEDs – Day 2 AM:

SPEEDs – Day 2 AM:

January 8, 2008
#48-Johnson continues to be the fastest after funning both of Monday's sessions as the quickest, on Tuesday AM, Johnson ran 184.763mph, followed by #27B-Villeneuve, #28B-Kvapil, #5B-Mears and #84B-Allmendinger. #42-Montoya was the fastest Dodge at 21st of the 45 cars

Martin and DEI announce 2008 Cup Schedule:

Martin and DEI announce 2008 Cup Schedule:

January 7, 2008
Mark Martin will race in 26 Sprint Cup events in 2008, including 24 point races and two non-point events. Martin will kick off the 2008 season and his tenure in the #8 U.S. Army/Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevy with his record-extending 20th-consecutive Budweiser Shootout

Daytona Test Notes – Session 1, Day 1:

Daytona Test Notes – Session 1, Day 1:

January 7, 2008
#7-Robby Gordon will test his Ford since the Dakar Rally race was cancelled; #20-Tony Stewart will test at Daytona for the first time in three years [due to the change to Toyota and the COT]; Jason Keller will test a 4th Gillett Evernham Motorsports Dodge; Kirk Shelmedine

Pemberton leaves DEI? UPDATE 4 MWR names 3 new crew chiefs:

Pemberton leaves DEI? UPDATE 4 MWR names 3 new crew chiefs:

December 14, 2007
hearing that Dale Earnhardt Inc #8 crew chief, Ryan Pemberton [#01 in 2007 with DEI/Ginn Racing], could be heading to Penske Racing as the crew chief for #77 Sam Hornish Jr.(12-5-2007) UPDATE: Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said

Richert to crew chief at DEI UPDATE:

Richert to crew chief at DEI UPDATE:

December 14, 2007
Crew chief Ryan Pemberton has left Dale Earnhardt Inc., and the team said Doug Richert will replace him beginning Wednesday. Pemberton was scheduled to lead the #8 Chevy that will be co-driven next season by Mark Martin and Aric Almirola.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(

Smith tests at Kentucky:

Smith tests at Kentucky:

November 29, 2007
Rookie-of-the-Year hopeful Regan Smith laid the groundwork for his first full Sprint Cup Series season by testing his new Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI), machine at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday [and is scheduled to test Thursday also]. Smith will compete in the #01 Chevy

Rumblings – Phoenix:

Rumblings – Phoenix:

November 11, 2007
Jimmie Johnson won his 4th in a row today at Phoenix International Raceway in the Checker Auto Parts 500 for his 10th win of the season....and he's got a stranglehold on the Championship to boot! JJ's win was the 33rd of his Nextel Cup career....and he's now tied for

Martinsville Ramblings:

Martinsville Ramblings:

October 20, 2007
Jeff Gordon was fastest in the abbreviated practice then backed it up when it counted later in the afternoon and took the Bud Pole at Martinsville Speedway today for Sunday's Subway 500 with a time of 19.938 (94.974 mph). This is the 7th top-spot of the season for

DEI to unveil #8 for 2008:

DEI to unveil #8 for 2008:

October 15, 2007
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (DEI) to Unveil #8 U. S. Army Chevy this afternoon at Lowe´s Motor Speedway. Mark Martin and Aric Almirola will co-drive the #8 Chevy in 2008.(DEI PR)(10-12-2007) IMAGES: added a few images to the 2008 Sprint Cup Schemes Page of the #8 US Army

Same Schedule for Martin in 2008:

Same Schedule for Martin in 2008:

October 12, 2007
Mark Martin enjoyed his first season of part-time racing so much that he's repeating it race for race in 2008 “ Martin will enter both Sprint Cup all-star events and 24 points races. Aric Almirola will drive the #8 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevy in the remaining 12 points

Rumblings – Talladega Race Notes:

Rumblings – Talladega Race Notes:

October 7, 2007
Jeff Gordon played possum most of the race and led exactly one lap today at Talladega Superspeedway (the last one) and won the UAW-Ford 500 in yet another wild 'Dega finish.....he bested his teammate Jimmie Johnson by .066 seconds. Gordon completed the sweep (he won

Kinser seeking opportunity for 2008:

Kinser seeking opportunity for 2008:

September 23, 2007
Dale Earnhardt Inc. development driver Kraig Kinser says he is looking for a job for the 2008 season. Kinser, who drove in 31 truck races for MB2 Motorsports and Ginn Racing in conjunction mostly with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports over the last two years, said Saturday

Gibson to be #01 crew chief in 2008:

Gibson to be #01 crew chief in 2008:

September 9, 2007
Tony Gibson, who substituted as the crew chief for #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. earlier this year and was crew chief for Michael Waltrip at the end of the 2005 season at Dale Earnhardt Inc., will be the crew chief for Regan Smith next year. Gibson replaced Tony Eury Jr.,